Telephone system



Aug. 30, 1932. H. B. MCELYEA TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Jan. 26, 1931 2Sheets-Sheet 1 n v QQ Hari@ E, IUCE aa A118 30, 1932- H. B. MCELYx-:ATELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Jan. 26. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CE1 aa Inuen nrPatented Aug. 30, 1932 HARLEY BQLCELYEA, F CHCAGO,

Tron or DELAWARE LLIENOS, ASSIGNOR,v BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TOASSQOIATEEI) ELECTRIC LABORATORIES,

INC., OF' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COR-FORA- TELEPHGNE SYSTEM f Applicationfiled January V26, 1931. Serial No. 511,175.

The present invention relates in general to telephone systems, but isconcerned more particularly with the provision of a new and improvedcombined switchboard and dis- 1" tributing frame for use in an automaticteleL phone system. The main object may be stated to be the provisionofa new and improved automatic switchboard unit to serve as a mountingframe for automatic connector switches and lineswitches, and to serre asa distributing frame through which suitable interconnections may be madebetween the various cables outgoing from a switchboard and incoming tothe switchboard andthe lineswitches and connectors mounted on suchswitchboard, and whereby the connections between the lineswitches andconnectors of tl e switchboard may be readily made and easily changedwhenever it is desired to do so. y

A specific object of the invention Vmay be stated to be the provision ofthe above-mentioned arrangement on a switchboard arranged for connectorswitches to be mounted on one ,side thereof and for lineswitches to bemounted on the other side thereof.

Other objects and features of the invention will be understood best froma further perusal of the specification in connection with theaccompanying drawings, lcomprising Figs. 1 to 4.

Referring now to the drawings, they show a suflicient amount of theVapparatus of a telephone exchange constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention to enable the invention to be understood.Figs. 1 to 3 are three sei arate Views of an automatic- 'switchboarounit, and Fig. 4 is a circuit diagrani showing how Various cables andswitching units may be interconnected.

The switchboard unit shown in Figs. 1fto 3, and arranged to mountlineswitches onone side thereof and to mount connector switches on theothercside thereof, similargenerally, to the switchboard units shown Aatthe ieft in Figs. 163 and 165 in Telephony, Iny cluding AutomaticSwitching, by Arthur Bessey Snnth, publi liedin Chicago by Fred erich J.Drale Sz Company, copyright 1924. Figs..164 and 167 in theabove-mentioned book show opposite sides of switchboard units of thisgeneral type. In addition, the lineswitch side of such a unit is shownto the right of a power board in Fig. 187 of the above book.

Reference may also be had to Automatic Telephony, second edition, byArthur Bessey Smith and lVilson Lee Campbell, published in 1921 by theMcGraw-Hill Book Company, lne., N ew York city. Flunger line-switchessuitable for mounting on the unitk disclosed herein are described inthis book on pages 44 .to 49, and master switches suitable for use withthese lineswitches are described on pages 49 and 50. Figs. 44, 45, 46,and 47 of this book arephotographs and circuit drawings of lineswitchesand master switches. Fig. 86, page 107, shows a full View of 100lineswitches served by two master switches, making two groups of 50lineswitches each, for trunlring purposes. And Fig. 87 shows theconnector side of the same unit.

1n the printed matter beginning on page 53y of the above-mentioned bookand ending on page 62, connector switches are described. Various viewsof connector switches and parts thereof are shown in Figs. 50 to 52, and54 to 59; and circuit drawings pertaining to a connector switch areshown in Figs. 60 and 61. In addition, Figs. 9() and 9:2 to 94 showVarious viewsY of connector switches mounted, with covers in place,together with related apparatus. Y

y The conetmctzlon of the um't Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to3,

lthe physical aspects of the switchboard unit Vtoward each other andrigidly secured in Vertical position. The entire assembly is mounted onthe base 2, which may be of wood or other` suitable material. Theupright channel-bars 5 and 6 are resting on and welded to the supportmembers 3 and 4, which, in turn, are screwed to the base 2. The entirestructure is given rigidity by the bracing effect of the angle-bars 7and 8, Figs. 2 and 3, which are ordinarily first riveted to theuprightchannel bars 5 and 6 in the proper location to enable thelineswitch gates G1 and G2, Fig'.

3, to be mounted thereon, after which the angle-bars 7 and 8 `aresecurely welded to the upright channel-bars 5 and 6.

From theL illustrations in the two books hereinbefore referred to, itwill `be. noted that a switchboard unit of the type shown herein isquite tall relative to its width and breadth. For this reason, part ofthe lower section of th unit has been broken out and the base has beenshown brought nearer to the top portion of the unit, in order to permitthe showing of the unit on a relatively larger scale, Without exceedingthe limits of the drawing space.

Considering first. the lineswitch side of the unit, two lineswitch gatesG1 and G2 are shown. Each gate provides mounting space for fiftylineswitches and for two master switches, one for the lower section ofthe gate and one for the upper section of the gate (the upper masterswitch is rarely installed) makj, the bars 7 3 and 74 have the samerelative disosition, as may be seen in Fig. 2. The gate 1 is pivotallyvmounted by the bolts which pass through the left-hand end of thehorizontal bars 73 and 74 and through the mounting bars 8 and 7. Thegate G2 is constructed and mounted in the same mauneras the gate G1,except that it is pivoted to swing toward rthe right instead of towardthe left.

The members 75 and'76 are secured to the mounting bars 8 and 7 andarranged to serve as front stops for the gates G1 and G2. The gates aresecured in a closed position by being normally bolted to the front stops7 5 and. 76.

Considering the connector-side of the unit, shown in front view in Fig.1 and in side view in Fig. 2, mounting space for four shelves ofconnectors is provided, seven connectors a shelf, giving room fortwenty-eight connectors in all. The drawings show shelf A, the topportion of shelf B, and the bottom lportion offshelf Dgthe portion ofthe units on which shelf C is mounted, being entirely omitted, alongwith the bottom portionfof shelf B and the top portion of shelf D. Amounting frame for a shelf of connectors comprises essentially a pair oihorizontal angle-bars such as 52 and 53, Figs. 1 and 2, having theirWebs disposed relative to one another as seen best in Fig. 2. They areconnected together at intervals by vertical bars such as the bar 77,with space between adjacent bars of sufiicient Width to accommodate a.connector switch. Each of the bars such as 77 is beveled in front inorder to guide the individual switch cover when it is being placed onthe switch. f

Suitably spaced lugs, such as the lugs 54 to 57, Fig. 1, are secured tothe faces of the channel-bars 5 and 6 on the connector-side of the unitto support the connector shelves. The horizontal shelf angles are boltedto the supporting lugs as shown best in Fig. 2.

Y Abovethe connectorsl and on the connectorside of the unit, groups ofterminal blocks are provided and mounted on the so-called fanning strips10, 11, 12, and 13. These terminal blocks are provided with pin terminals of the usual type and are mounted on the tanning strips l0 to 13 inthe usual manner,

the fanning strips, in turn, being screwed to brackets mounted on theupright angle-bars 5 and 6.

Between the above-mentioned terminal blocks and the connectors, ajumper-guide bar 9 is mounted on the vertical channel-bars 5 and 6 bybeing welded thereto. A numberY of jumper-guides or channel members suchas 20,21, and 22 are provided. These jumperguides, or channel membersare so placed as to line up with the corresponding jumperguides orchannel members on adjacent units so as to make a continuousVjumper-channel from one end ota row of units to the other, whereby ajumper may be extended from a terminal block onvanyrunit to a terminaltblock on any other unit'. Each jumper-guide is split near theY upperoutside corner so as to permit a jumper to be placed within thejumper-channel without the necessity of placing it through eachjumper-guide separately. f

This construction of the jumper-guides may be observed by referring tojumper-guide 22, as seen in Fig. 2.

As may be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, a row of terminal blocks is provided onthe lineswitchsideof the unit, near the top, this row of terminal blocksbeing mounted on the tanning strip 14.

Below the fanning strip 14, two ycovered groups of meter-control relays38 and 39 are mounted. Group 38 is mounted on a base plate 40, Fig. 2,to which the horizontal angle bars 41 and 42 are secured. The angle bars41 and 42 are hingedly mounted or pivoted on the lugs 43 and 44, whichare, in turn, se-

cured to the fiat horizontal mounting bars 18 and 19. Group 39 ismounted on the bars 18 and 19 in the same way.

best from Fig. 2. The bar `18, on the other hand, is a flat, straightbarv which is welded to the ends'of the off-set` Usshaped bar 23. rhebar23 extends between the upright'channel bars A5 and 6 and is welded tothem on the line-switch-side thereof. This bar is ott-set between thechannel bars 5 and 6vso thatit passes along between the center lines ofthe two channel bars in the correct position to support the jumper rings24, 25 and'26, ig. 3.r` Juniper ring 24 may also be seen in dottedoutline in Fig. 2, behind the yvertical channel bar 6. Thejumperspassing from the blocks mounted on tanning -strip 14 to otherjumperblocks on the same or4 other units, Vpass through the jumper ringsr24and 25. j r n The fuse -panel 28 andthe miscellaneousf relay group 29are mounted below the relay groups 38 and 39 and on the bars loaned 1?.The horizontal mounting-bars 16 and l? are secured directly to theupright,channel-bars 5 Vand 6 and the fuse panel 28 is secured tothebars 16 and 17 by'means of two brackets, of which the bracket SO'canbe seen in Fig. rlhe miscellaneous-relay groupv29 is se. cured to thebars 16 and 17 in the saine way astne meter-control relay groups 38 andare secured to the bars 18 and 19. e, 'si terminal assembly TA. ismounted on the lineswitcli-side of the unit between the lin-eswitchgates G1 and G2 and the fuse panel and relay groups 28 and Thisterminal. assembly is mounted on the horizontal angle bar 15, which is,in turn, mounted on two support bars, of which: the bar 81 may be seenin Fig. 2. The support bar 8l, together with the corresponding bar atthe other end of the anglevbar 15, is secured to one of the uprights bymeans. of boltsv The terminal assembly consists of live nat terijninalstrips such as shown inF ig. 102 of Smith and Campbells book,hereinbefore referred to. rlhese terminal strips are superimposed in amanner shown in Fig. 103 of the book, each strip beinginsulated from theYother and from the framework by means of suitable insulating strips.rlihe entire assembly isheld together by the siX bolts and AVclampedbetween the supporting angle bar 1'5 and thepclam'ping bar 2 7.

ustabove the top line of the top connectorishelf A, twoV cover-snpportrbars 82 and Y33 are bolted to the uprioht angle bars 6 and 5, as shown.The lugs 3d, 35, 86, and are secured to the ends of the bars 32 and 33in order to support a suitable form ot cover which lits over theequipment mounted below the bars 32 and 33; it'being understood, ofcourse, that the lineswitchesand connec.- tors are ordinarily enclosed,as may be seen 4upon reference to theillustrations in the publicationshereinbefore referredto.

i'tthe top of the upright channel bar 5, a Avrunway-support'bar l5 issecured.

lar runway-support bar 46 is securedft'o" the A simi-V upright angle bar6 near the top. These two bars` support the section of thecable run--The wiring of the @mit rlhe physical construction of the new unit havingbeen explained, the wiring or cabling arrangement of the unit will nowbe taken up. is has been explained hereinbefore,this unit is arranged toaccommodate four shelves of connectors indicated A, B, C, and D, ofwhich shelf C is not shown owing to that portion of the board beingbroken away'. rlhe incoming machine-made, covered cable 85, Figs.' 1 and2, contains conductors which are connected to the connector-trunk block61on fanning strip 13, Fig. 1. From the block 61, a hand-formed cable84, Fig. 2 ef;- tends to the connector shelves, and a branch of thiscable leads to each shelf. The branch 95 of this cable leads to thejacks of the switches in shelf A, and the branch 96 leads the jacks ofthe switches in shelf D, as may be seen in Fig. 2. The conductors ofcables 85V and Se which lead to the connector C1 by way of terminals ingroup 61, mounted on fanning strip 13, may be seen in the s lieniaticdiagram, Fig. 4.

Since fourteen connectors can ordinarily handle the trai'iic directed toone hundred lines or one hundred telephone numbers (several numbersbeing assigned to one line in cer ain party-line systems) the fourteenconnectors, C1 to C14, of shelves A and B have their banks all connectedin multiple to serve one hundred connector numbers. In the saine way,the fourteen connectors of shelves C (not shown) and D are arranged toserve a separate hundred group of numbers; and, therefore, have theirbanks all connected in multiple.

The bank cable 81, 2, connects the multipled contacts of the banks ofshelves A and B with the contacts in the blocks mounted on fanning strip10, Figs. 1 and 2. rlhe cable 81 'extends from the right-hand end oftanning strip 10 as seen in Fig. 1 to the bank of the connector C7, thevertical portion of the cable lying within the confines of the uprightangle-bar 6. From the bank of connector C1 to the bank (not shown) ofconnector C8, there is a multipling cable which lies within the channelof channel bar 5. The various contacts in the lineswitches of gate G2,

blocks mounted on tanning strip 1() accordinglyrepresent the bankcontacts of any one of the connectors G1 to C14.

In vthe same Way, the terminals in the blocks mounted on tanning strip11 represent the respective'contacts in the bank oiA lany one of theconnectors C15 to C21 (not shown) and C22 to C28. To this end, the cable82 extends from the left-hand end of the tanning stripll, as seen inFig. 1, to the bank of connector C15 (not shown), While the bank cable82', Fig. 2, connects the bank of connector C28 to thebank of connectorC21 (not shown). This cable lies Within the confines of the angle bar G,as it passes from the connector C28 to the connector immediately above.n

The terminal blocks mounted on the fanning strip 14, Figs. 2 and3provide terminal facilities for one hundred lineswitches, four Yterminals a lineswitch.

The four terminals of the lineswitch LS, 14, are shown in Fig. 4 servingas a terminus for the four conductors extending thereto from thelineswitch LS via thecable 88. The cable 88, as shown in Fig. 2, extendsfrom the blocks of anning strip 14 through the channel of bar 6 to thelineswitches mounted on gate G1, Figs. 2 and 3. The cable 88 joins withother cable conductors to be pointed out hereinafter Vto form the cable97, shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The conductors of cable 88 connect to thejacks of the lineswitches on gate G1 as incoming conductors, as shown inFig. 4. A cable (not shown) similar to cable 88 extends from theright-hand end of the fanning strip 14, as seen in Fig. 3, through theconfines of the channel-bar 5 and to the joining with other local cableconductors to be hereinafter mentioned to form the cable 98, Fig. 2.

In order to connect the one hundred lineswitches ot gates G1 and G2 toone hundredY lines of the exchange, the cable 87, Figs. 2, 3, and 4,extends from the line conductor terminals of the terminal blocks mountedon tanning strip 14 to-thc main distributing frame MDF, Fig. 4, Whereatthe necessary jumper connections are made to connect the lineswitcheswith the subscribers instruments by Way of the outside cable plant.

In Fig. 4 it will be noted that one of the trunk lines accessible to thelineswitch LS extendsby way of the cable 93 to one of the strips in theterminal assembly TA, Figs.

2 and 3. 'The terminal. assembly TA is pro,- vided for the purpose o't'enabling the relay groups 38 and 39 to be included in series with thetrunks outgoing from the lineswitch banks When metered service isrequired and to enable the trunks to be connected straight throughwithout the relays when metered service is not required. The terminalassembly TA also serves as a connecting point at Whichthe master-switchbank wires are connected to the so-'called release-trunk andV holdingconductors of the trunk lines acces-V sible to the associatedlineswitches.

Cable 93 may be seen in Fig. 2, with the wires leading therefrom to thenext-to-thebottom strip inthe-terminal assembly TA. Cable'93 may also beseen iny Fig. 4 coming up from the lineswitch gates G1 and G2 to theterminal assembly TA. Some of its conductors are included in cable 97extending to the gate G1, while others of its conductors extend acrossbehind the channel bar 8 and go to make up part of cable 98 extending tothe ate G2.

Upon re erence to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the cable 94 extendsfrom the terminal assembly TA to the relay groups 38 and 39. Cable 94ymay be seen in Fig. 2 as the bottom one of the five cablesassociatedwith the teryminal assembly TA, and its conductors may be seenconnecting with the bottom strip in the terminal assembly, the terminalsin the two bottom strips being bent and soldered together, as indicatedin Figs. 2 and 4. The cable 94 extends up within the confines of thechannel 5 (see Fig. 3) and forms part of the cable 89 leading to themeter-control relay groups 38 and 39.

In Fig. 4, cable 92 is shown leading from the relay groups 38 and 39 tothe terminal assembly. This cable may be seen in Fig. 2, having itsWires connected with the middle one of the five terminal strips, and itmay be seen in Fig. 3 extending from the right-hand end of the terminalassembly up into the confines of the channel-bar 6. This cable joinswith the cable'94 to form the' cable 89 leading to the rela groups 38and 39.

Fig. 4 s ows the master switch bank-cable 91 leading to the terminalassembly TA. This cable may be seen in Fig. 2 with its conductorsconnected to the second terminal strip, from the top. It may be seen inFig. 3 leading from the left of the terminal assembly TA. Cable 91extends down within the confines of the upright channel-bar 6. Oneportion of this makes up a. portion of cable 97, leading to theequipment mounted onthe lineswitch gate G1, and the remaining ones ofits conductors help to make up the cable 98,y leading to the equipmentmounted on lineswitch gate G2.

Fig. 4 shows the cable 90 leading from the terminal assembly TA to block62 mounted on fanning strip 13 (see Fig. l). The terminals in block 62represent the primary trunks after they have been led through the relaygroups 38 and 39. Cable 90 may be seen in Fig. 2,

whereinits conductors are indicated as connecting with the top one ofthe five terminal strips of terminal assembly TA. Cable 90 is also shown'in Fig. 3 as extending from the right-hand end of the terminal assemblyTA ICS and up through the channel formed by the upm right bar 5.

Ruhm/'ng the jumpers on the' installed 'am-ts In order for anunderstanding to b-epliad ofthe way in vwhich the jumpers are runbetween the terminal blocks ofy installed units to vconnect rthevariousl elements together, various types of automatic telephone systemsin which the new and improved units may be used will be discussed.

1n case the unit shown in the drawings is used in va-telephone exchangeserving individual-liiies only, instead of serving party lines or aVcombination ofy individual and party lines, the two groups ofconnectors mounted onone side of aunit assligown in the drawings willsuiiicc for twov hundred lineswitches, whereas there is room on `theopposite side of the unit for only one hundr'ed lineswitches. When sucha condition obtains one unit out ot every group Aof three may havelineswitches installed on both sides instead of haring connectors on oneYside and lineswitches on the other, in which case the three unit-s willserve to mount tour-hundred lineswitches, and the four groups 'ofconnectors contained on the twoy connectorequipped units will providetour-hundred connector numbers,` a separate connector number'for each ofthe four hundred line-v switches. This Varrangement may be duplicated ineach/set of three mounting units.

,Moreoveig a part, or all, of the lines may be arranged for operation ona metered or measured-service basis according to the system disclosed in`the patentto Arthur J. Fay, 1,304,369, granted May 20, 1919, on anapplication filed January 26, 1915. In Fig.` 1 of Rays patent drawings,a meter M is shown individual to the line of substation A' andassociated with the individual lineswitch C, and theillustratedone ofthetrunk lines accessible to the lineswitch C is shown extending to thesecondary lineswitch'C2 and equipped with the meter-controlling relays23 and 24. It is assumed that the meter 100 shown in Fig. 4 oicthepresent drawings is similar' to the meter M in the Ray patent,

that` the relay groups 38 and 39 contain relays similar to the relaysv23 and 24 a imilarly related to the Atrunk lines con- .fed through therelay 'groups 38 and 39 as ne einbetore describe h7the unit shownv inFigs. 1 to 3 installed in a system as above outlined, the jumperconnections may be made as indicated in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, it will benoted, the line of substation S enters the exchange at the main frameMDF, and is there extended by means of a jumper and conductors inconductor cable 8?' to terminal mounted on fanning strip 14, Figs. 2 andIn order to provide incoming service to the line of substation S fromthe other lines of the system,

three-conductor jumper 102 is run from three of the contacts of the setmounted on tanning strip 14 and shown in Fig'. 4 to a setof connectorbank terminals. The terminal set to which the umper 102 is run dependsupcn the numberassigned to the line of substation SQ On the assumptionthat it is a number served by the connectors C1 to C14, Figs. 2 and' 3,the jumper 102 extends to one of the contact sets in one or" the jumperblocks on tanning strip 10,` Figs. 1 and 2. The jumper102 passesthroughone of the jumper rings 24- 26, Figs. 2 and 3.

Outgoing service it'roin'thcv lline of substation to the other lines'ofthe exchange is obtained through the lineswitch'LS in the usual manner.l/Vhen the lineswitch LS takes for use` the fourconductor trunk lineyshown in Fig. 4 as passing through tour of the conductors of cable 93,the connection extends by way ofcontacts of the terminal assembly TA, tothe relay groups 38 and 39 by-wayof conductors ofV cable 94; andthenceto the pri# mary-trunk terminal blocky 62 mounted ony tanning stripv13,*by` way of conductors of cable 92, contacts of the terminalassembly TA, and conductors in cable 90.k From the contacts on block 62,Figsl and 4, the connection extends by way'ot a four-conductor jumper104 to a secondary lineswivtch by lway of contacts mounted ontanningstrip 12, Figs. 1 and 2. From this point, the connection extendsby way of conductors in cable 83 to ay secondary lineswitch (not shown),which is operated to extend a connection to a first selector accessiblethereto and in the usual manner. l

In'order to connect ,a meter, such asfthe meter 100, 4, so that it willAregister the calls made from the line oi substation S, asingle-conductor jumper 103 is run from the meter-actuating contact ofthe terminaldset associated with the lineswitch LS to a contact on theblock 99. lt may be pointed out that the meters, such as 100, are`ordinarily installed on a separate mounting frame, and that cables areextended romthis mounting frame to the terminal. block 99. mounted onanother one of the units of the system and in the space occupied by thetanning strip 12, Figs. 1 and 2, and its terminal blocks. It will beunderstood, oit' course, that the secondarytrunk-cable mounting bloclrssuch as those mounted on tanning strip will be required in Yonly a fewof the units, as the tanning strip 10 provides for trunks to one hundredsecondary lineswitches, whereas a group of "1 strips 10 and 11 from eachof the one hundred primary lineswitches makes use of only from 10 to 20secondary lineswitchcs, depending upon the traffic conditions. The spaceoccupied by the fanningfstrip 12 of the uni-t shown in the drawing maybe occupied on most .of the other units by tanning strips terminatingmeter cables and such other miscellaneous cables as may prove to benecessary or desirable. Y r

It may be mentioned that a line suchas the line of substation A may beshifted to a new lineswitch without changing the connector number bymerely shifting the upper end of the jumper 102, Fig. 4, to the new setof lineswitch terminals on vthe same or another unit, and makingasimilar shift of the lower end of jumper 101 on the main distributingframe LIDF to the appropriatenew set of `contacts corresponding to thenew lineswitch.

I nterce ptz'ng .s erm'ce installed, any calls attempted to the line of.substation S by way of the previously assignedy number are routed byway of cable 86 to the intercepting operators switchboard in the usualmanner.

y Four-party-lz'ne service If, the system inwhich the newunits areinstalled is one having all four-party lines instead of having allindividual lines as previously assumed, all of the units may haveconnectors installed on one side and line-Y switches on the other side,as shown in the drawings, except that a separate bank cable is taken tothe terminal block of tanning connector groups instead of thearrangement'.V shown and described of taking one banlrcable for theshelves A and B and another bank cable for the shelves C and D. When theconnectors on one side of the unit are arranged in four groups (aseparate group for each shelf) theterminal blocks mounted on the fanningstrips, 10 and 11 are built up six terminals high instead of threeterminals high as shown in Fig. 2, thus doubling the num.- ber ofterminals to care Jfor the doubled number of banky cable wires leadingfrom the doubled number of connector groups. With this modifiedarrangement, each shelf of connectors constitutes a separate connectormultiple and provides for one hundred connector numbers. lVith iourgroups of connectors and only one group of lineswitches there lare fourconnector numbers for each of the lineswitches mounted on the oppositeside signalled, as, for example, in the case of a harmonic-ringingparty-line system, wherein each connector group of a set of four groupsapplies ringing current of a different predetermined frequency. In sucha system, of course, the so-called harmonic or tuned ringers are used onthe party lines. It will be understood,of course, that the associationof connector numbers and lineswitches with a line is not confined to oneunit. A connector-bank terminal set on one unit may be jumpered to alineswitch terminal set on a different unit by way of a. jumperextending through the jumper channel formed by the jumper supports suchas 20 to 22, Figs. 1 and 2.

l It'may be pointed out that the bunching block 64, mounted on fanningstrip 13, Figs.

1 and 2, is used as ay common connecting point j for the jumpers inaccordance with standard practice. p The terminals on this 4block aremultipled together in sets with three or four groups of terminals in aset in order to accommodate a jumper extending from the group to alineswitch, and a separate jumper extending from the group to each -setof connector-bank terminals through which accessis had to the partyline.

j Standard mz'ed ser/vice Inl the majorityof actual installations, thesubscribers lines, instead of being all individual lines as in the firstassumed example or allfour-party lines as in the second assumed example,are usually a mixture of individual lines, two-party lines, andfour-party lines. Ordinarily, then, some of the units of an installationwillbe as shown in Figs. 1 to 3; others will have lineswitches mountedon both sides and'noconnectors, as discussed hereinbefore; and stillAothers will have lineswitches yon one side and the four shelves ofconnectors on the other side, wired up as four separate connector groupsas hereinbefore mentioned. In the regular system, therefore, theprovisions for inter-unit jumpering f is furnished by any other group oflineswitches. `This is advantageous from ak trunking and trattic-controlstandpoint, as is' well known.

Modc'ylieci intenable arrangement The line-conductorcables such as the,cable 87, `Figs. 2, 3., and a, may be terminated on the bank multipleterminalsjf'of tlieconnectors such as thosemounted on tanningv strips 10and ,l1 'of Figs. l and '2 insteadot on the lineswitch terminals such as`those mounted on tanning strip 14,,Figs- 2 and 3, in case it is desiredto have vallyconnector numbers appearing on the,k main` distributingtrame. This arrangement, ofcourse, requires more cable conductors inafterminal-per-station party-line system, but'is favored by someAoperating companies on the stated ground that it results in less laborby the maintenance men in'making jumper connections andalterationshaving to do'wth the balancing of the trattic'on lineswitchunits, the changing of numbers, and the like. llVith this modiiedcablingarrangement, a line can be shifted from a lineswitch in` one group to alineswitch in a diierent group by merely changing one jumper at theswitch unit, whereas, in the cabling arrangement shown in ,therdrawings, a jumper must be changed at the main distributing frame asWell.

'Flatfrzzlzf'ehv ser/vice In the case of the line of substation S, Fig.4, in case flat-rate service ist-o be given instead of metered service,the'jumper 103 is removed andV the CorrespondingA contact on :tanningstrip 1s'- is groundedin yorder to secure the correct circuit operation.As an alternative way of lmaking thechange, the line maybe shifted to alineswitchinvanother lgroup wherein metering relays are notl providedand wherein the fourth terminals of the lineswitch terminalfsets arepermanently grounded, asno Vmeters are ever to be attached.

What is claimed is: f

l.` A switchboard for use 'in an automatic telephone system, saidswitchboard being composedoiz separate switchboard units disposed in arow, connector switches mounted on one side ot each unit, line switchesmounted on the other side oit `each unit, two groups ot terminalsmounted on each unit, the ban s ot the connector switches on the sameunit being multipled together and'conf nectedY to one group 'erminals,the lineswitches on same 't conn` to the other group ott inals, fm: tormakin@` jump-er coi` terminal groups whH nector-banl; contacts on a u Anected to any lineswitch on the saine Au and facilities for meltinginter-ra it j it i per connections w -eieby lany set ot connector bankcontacts on any unit may be connected with any lineswitchv on any otherunit.l

2. An automatic switchboard unit having automatic connector switchesmounted on one lside thereoi1 and having automatic lineswitches ot eachunit being multipled to-g gether, connections from the multiplied bank`contacts ot said units to the res ective 'Grou s ot terminal setsmounted on said units, a group ci secondary-lineswitch terminals mountedon one of said units, and facilities for making jumper connections :tromthe primary ln one of said uni-is to said secondary-line-swit'chterminals. i

An automatic telephone switchboard unit havingl connector switchesmounted on one side and primary lineswitches mounted on the other side,ay group of connector-bank terminals, the banks of ythe connectorsmountedon said unit ybeing connected'in multiple with each other andconnected to saidV group et connector-bank terminals, a group ofprimary-lineswitch terminals, said primary lineswitc'hes being connectedwith said te minals, a group o1" primary-line switclrbanlr terminals,thebanls of said lineswitches being connectedv in multiple (with eachother and to said primary-lineswitchbaril; terminals, a group or"secondary-lineswitch terminals mounted on said unit, i'acilif tiesincluding the said connector-bank terminals and primary-lineswitchterminals for making a jumper -connection from any multip-led set ofconnector bank contacts to any one of said primary llineswitches, andfacilities including said primary lineswitchbank termin al s and saidsecondaryllineswitch terminals for making a jumper connection betweenany group or" multipled primarylineswitch-banl; contacts andvany .groupof secondarylineswitch terminals.

5. ln an automatic telephone switchboard unit having provisions formounting automatic connector switches on one side thereof and havingprovisions for mounting subscribers individual line switches on theother side thereof; a group ot meter-control relays mounted on thelineswitchside ot said unit;

unit, a subscribers-line cable 'terminating in ieswitch banl; terminalson any one of said terminal blocks; cable connectionsy from theline-cable terminal block to said lineswitches; whereby the lines andlineswitches are connected together cable connec-I ltions from the banksof said connectors to another group of said terminal blocks; a ter-`minal assembly mounted on said unit and comprising terminals fixed insuperimposed fiat strips and arranged to be bent together and solderedinsuitable combinations; connections from the banks of said lineswitchesline-cable terminal blocks to enable connections to be extended tosubscribers lines by way of said connectors, and'tacilities for makingjumper connections between the said terminal blocks to which thelineswitch banks .f are connected by way of said terminal assembly andmeter-control relays tosaid outgoing trunk cable terminal blocks,whereby calls may be made Vfrom said subscribers lines through saidlineswitches and the trunk represented by the saidoutgoing trunk cables.

6. In an automatic telephone system,l a group of switchboard unitsarranged in a row, each unit having connector switches mounted on oneside and lineswitchesmounted on the other side, a group of terminalblocks on the connector side of each unit terminating cable conductorsextending from the connector banks, terminal blocks mounted on thelineswitch side of each unit, conductors connecting theterminal sets inthe lineswitch blocks with the lineswitches on the same unit, facilitiesincluding jumper rings or running y f jumpers between the two sides ofany unit to connect connector-bank contact-sets and s. lineswitchesvtogether, and facilities including jumper guides on all said unitswhereby a jumper may be run from any lineswitch iterminals on any unitacross the said any unit and through said jumper guides to a set ofterminals mounted on the connector side of any other unit, in order tomake interunit associations of connector-bank contactsets andlineswitches'.

7. An automatic telephone switchboard n comprising a row of switchboardunits` each unit having automatic connector switches mounted on one sideand subscribers individual lineswitches mounted on the other side, agroup of terminals mounted on the lineswitch side of each unit andconnected with the lineswitches on the same unit, a group of terminalsmounted on the connector side of each unit and containing terminalscable-connected to the connector-bank contact sets, a-

cilities including jumper rings for running jumpers across any unitbetween the said terminal groups and facilities including a jumperchannel extending along the row'o units and formed by jumper guidesmounted on the units for making inter-unity jumper connectionsibetweenterminals ofdifferent units.V

8. An automatic telephone lswitchboard` comprising a group Vofswitchboard unitsV placed in a row, automatic switchingapparatus mountedon each of said units, a group of terminals mounted on each unit abovethe automatic switching apparatus thereon and cable connected to theassociated apparatuson the same unit, and facilities including a jumperchannel formed by jumper guides mounted on said units above theautomatic switching apparatus for making jumper connections between theterminals of all said units.

9. An automatic switchboard unit having automatic switches mounted onvone side thereof, a group of terminals mounted on the same side of theunitrabove the switches and cable connected to said automatic switches,said unit having automatic switches mounted on the other side thereofand cable connected A' to a group of terminals mounted on the said otherside of the switchboard above the associated automatic switches, andjumper facilities including jumper rings for running jumpers between thetwo sides of said switchboard above the switches mounted thereon inorder to connect the automatic switching apparatus on one side of theswitchboard With the automatic switching apparatus mounted on the otherside of the switchboard.

10. An automatic switchboard comprising a row of separate switchboardunits, each unit having automatic switches mounted thereon, a group ofterminals mounted on each unit above the automatic switches and cableconnected to the switches on the same unit, and facilities for runningjumpers between the terminals ofsaid units, said facilities including ajumper channel lformed by jumper guides mounted on said units above theautomatie switches and below said terminals.

l1, In an automatic switchboard unit, a pair vertically disposed mainsupporting bars located at opposite ends of the unit, switchingapparatus mounted on each side of said unit and supported by said bars,a y'horizontally disposed strip of terminalscrmounted on one side of theunit and supported by said bars and specific to the automatic switchingapparatus mounted on the same side of the unit, another horizontallydisposed strip of terminals mounted on the other side of said unit andsupported between said main support bars and specific to the switchingapparatus mounted on the said other side of the unit. a mounting stripdisposed horizontally between said main supporting bars and lying withinthe conines of the space included within the outer vertical edges ofsaid bars, and j umper-guiding means mounted on said mounting strip andarranged to guide jumpers between the two said terminal strips.

12. In an automatic switchboard unit, a pair of vertically disposed mainsupporting bars located at opposite ends of the unit, switchingapparatus mounted on each side of said unit and supported by said bars,a horizontally disposed strip of terminals mounted on one side of theunit and supported by said bars and specific to the automatic switchingapparatus mounted on the same side of the unit, another horizontallydisposed strip of terminals mounted on the other side of said unit andsupport between said main support bars and specific to the switchingapparatus mounted on the said other side of the unit, a mounting stripdisposed horizontally between said main supporting bars and lying withinthe confines of the space included within the outer vertical edges ofsaid bars, and a pluralityV of jumper rings disposed along the saidhorizontal bar to support jumpers passing between the two said terminalstrips.

13. In an automatic switchboard composed of similar units placed end toend to form a complete switchboard, a pair of vertically disposed mainsupporting bars forming opposite ends or" a switchboard unit, automaticswitching apparatus mounted on said unit and supported between saidbars, a horizon tally disposed strip of terminals mounted on` said unit,said terminal strip being supported on said bars and lying parallel tothe face of the unit, a horizontally disposed support bar mounteddirectly on said main support bars: above the automatic switchingapparatus and below said terminals, and a plurality of jump- Y er guidessecured to said horizontal support bar to form a jumper channel throughwhich inter-unit jumpers may be run from the said terminal strip toterminal strips on other units.

la. in an automatic switchboard composed of similar units placed end toend to form a complete switchboard, a pair of vertically disposed mainsupporting bars forming opposite ends of a switchboard unit, automaticswitching apparatus mounted on said unit and supported between saidbars, a horizontally disposed strip of terminals mounted on said unit,said terminal strip being supported on said bars and lying parallel tothe face of the unit, a. horizontally disposed support bar mounteddirectly on said main support bars above the automatic switchingapparatus and below said terminals, and a plurality of jumper guidessecured to said horizontal support bar to form a jumper channel throughwhich inter-unit jumpers may be run from the said terminal strip toterminal strips on other units, said jumper guides being disposed sothat they lie outside oi the Jfaces of the main support bars of the unitand within the faceof the unit as defined by the outer

